Breech protector for firearms



Nov. 11, 1924. 1,515,415

7 o. 1. RONNINVGEN BREECH PROTECTOR FOR FIREARMS Filed Sent. 25. 1923 1 INIVJENTORI BY v WQ 1 Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

UNlTED STATES OTTO I. RONNINGEN, OF MADISON MINNESOTA.

BREECH PROTECTOR FOR FIREARMS;

Application filed September 25, 1923. Serial No. 664,729.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTO I. RONNINGEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Madison, in the county of Lao Qui Parle and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech Protectors for Firearms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shield devices adapted to be attached to thebreech portions of fire arms, such as rifles, shot guns and the like, to protect the breech mechanism without interfering with the operation of the loading, firing or shell discharging devices, or otherwise interfering with its ordinary uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character, which may be adapted without material structural change to fire arms of various makes or construction.

With these and other objects in view the invention-consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specificially pointed out in the claim, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved device applied to a conventional fire arm.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detached perspective view of the improved device turned on its side.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow.

The improved device includes a guard or shield represented as a whole at 10, of sheet metal as light as possible consistent with the strains to which it will be subjected, and generally in inverted U shape transversely. The member 10 will be fitted to engage over the breech mechanism of a fire arm, such as arifle, shot gun or the like, and will be varied to conform to the outlines of the weapon to which it is applied.

For the purpose of illustration the device is shown in Fig. 1 applied to a conventional army rifle in whch 10 represents the butt, 11 the stock, 12 the barrel, and 13 the trigger guard of the usual construction.

The improved shield when applied to a rifle having a lateral pin 14: is provided with a slot 15 through which the pin extends and through which it is operative, and the slot is provided with a swinging closure 16, held in place by a sliding pin 17 The details of the construction of the shield may be varied to adapt it to the con.- struction of the fire arm to which it is applied.

Attached to the shield represented as a whole at 24 at one side is a rod 18 extending beyond the forward end of the shield at one end. The rod 18 is shown engaged in a tubular portion 19. rolled from one edge of the member represented as a whole at 24 and extending for a portion only of the length of the shield, as shown in Fig. 2.

Slidable over the rod 18 is a tubular support 20, and attached at 21 to the support are divided clamping bands 22. The ends of the bands being coupled by suitable fastening devices represented conventionally at 23 and operating to apply strain to the bands.

The bands are designed to be clamped around the barrel 12 and stock 11 of the fire arm, as indicated in Fig. 1, and readily adapt themselves to the differences in the contour of the weapon, and serve to couple the shield in position.

The breech cover opens and closes with the opening and closing of the bolt on a bolt action fire arm, making it unnecessary to remove the cover to fire or reload, and this operation is accomplished without slowing up the action of the weapon mechanism, or adding appreciably toor increasing the muscular force of the operator. It requires only about fine second of time to detach the cover mem- The improved device is simple in construction, can be inexpensively manufactured, and applied to various forms of fire arms and effectually protects the breech mechanism from moisture, dust, or the like, without interfering with the sighting or firing of the weapon.

The parts are so constructed that no portions project to catch on the clothing or surrounding objects.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specification, but it will be understood that modifications within the scope of the claimed invention may be made in the construction without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described the invention, What taching bands in spaced relation Connected is claimed as new is: to said tubular member and means adapted 10 A device of the class described coinpristo compress said bands on the arms strucing a shield element adapted to engage over ture. 5 the breech portion of a fire arm, a longitudi- In testimony whereo'fll aflix my signature nally directed guide rod extending in adhereto.

Vance of the shield element a tubular member slidably engaging said rod, divided at- OTTO I. RONNINGEN. 

